We finally have an in country contact for while in Thailand! In fact, we have had them now for well over a month…SORRY, this blog is way over due!
While Aimee D'hondt and myself are in Thailand (less than 3 months away) our main ministry covering will be FREE BURMA RANGERS. Now, I can honestly say that I never thought they would be part of the plan, but little did I know that God was preparing my heart 1.5 years ago.
A few weeks ago I was reading through my World Race journals upon which I began to see how God was breaking my heart for Burma as well as drawing my heart towards FBR. Here is a little excerpt from December 3, 2010 a few days after my time in Thailand:
"Perhaps I could work with Refugees for a while? My heart is tugged there. We got to stay at a ranch the other day. This is a place for missionaries to come relax and rejuvenate for free. It's incredible! the people who live here are Burma Free Rangers. They go into Burma and help rescue and restore the displaced people that are being forced from their homes. There is so much civil unrest that is going on there. My heart breaks. Who knows exactly where God is calling me, but one thing I do know is that He simply wants me to love His people."
It is a myserty, beyond my comprehension the ways in which God works, plants. So good!
Internally Displaced People hiding in the mountains of Burma
FBR was started in 1997 when chaos struck the Karen state (IN BURMA) leaving over 100,000 displaced and thousands dead. Their mission is to bring help, hope and love to people of all faiths and ethnicities in the war zones of Burma, to shine a light on the situation at hand, to stand with the oppressed and support leaders committed to justice. Their main focus is going on medical missions into Burma for months at a time.
FBR on a medical mission inside Burma
On the Thai saide, FBR partners with other organizations. This is where Aimee and myself will be, the Thai side, serving at a Burmese Youth Hostel in Chiang Mai. For the first few months, as we nestle into Thailand, we will have the opportunity to teach English, do devotionals and simply do life with these kids whose precious eyes have seen so much. (villages burnt down, families stripped apart, loved ones killed in front of them, etc.) We will also be helping 1-2 days with FBR's administrative side-to give back to them as well as taking Thai language classes.
Not only will we be serving these ministries, but we plan on partnering with others that God draws us to once we have gotten our feet wet. FBR does not want to hinder us from what God is placing on our hearts; therefore, we have freedom to serve other ministries. Loving on street kids, those caught up in the Red Light District, orphanages…the options are really endless.
I am excited for how God is moving and will move! I am stoked to simply do life with a broken nation, a people who need a Father's LOVE! THANK YOU for jumping on board!
